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Have you ever wondered why Christian scholars interpret Scripture in so many different ways?

Did the Lord really harden Pharaoh’s heart?

What does “the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever” mean?

And what is the sin against the Holy Spirit?

These and more than one hundred other questions concerning the Bible and its teachings are answered in this volume.

The forty-nine authors who contributed to this volume are all highly qualified Seventh-Day Adventist scholars who share the conviction that the Bible is God’s inspired and authoritative Word. Coming from many countries and cultures, they share a common commitment to Christ and his church. Although each article is signed, they have been reviewed and revised by the members of the Biblical Research Institute Committee, a group of about forty scholars and administrators from around the world. Hence, no part of this volume is the work of a single author. The individual chapters and the book, as a whole, profited from this cooperative approach.

This volume is written for church members who, at times, struggle with some biblical texts and who would appreciate some assistance. But it also will be useful to pastors and Bible teachers in their respective ministries. We anticipate that it will become a point of reference for any person interested in understanding some of the difficult biblical passages. The answers given are clear and based on Scripture. Whenever possible, historical, archeological, and religious backgrounds are noted as the writer carefully and perceptively works on the answer to a question. We hope that the answers will stimulate the readers’ interest, leading them to seek a deeper understanding of the particular issue addressed in it. In some cases, the readers may disagree with the answer provide; that is fine. The Bible is too deep to be totally fathomed by anyone or by any group of theologians. What really matters is to spend time praying and studying it as we wait for the return of our Lord.